27 February 2017

Not
much of interest happening around here, and I consider that to be a
good thing. We managed to turn off the news a few times this week so we
could watch a few television shows, listen to some music, and catch up
on our reading. Ahhh, feels good.

Getting organized (again):
I have officially declared myself to be a total failure when it comes
to organizing my books. Actually it's worse than that: I'm not trying to
organize my books, I just want to keep track of them, all of them -- print, audio, and e.

The
problem boils down to one thing. When I have free time, I really would
rather be doing almost anything else besides entering books into an app.
I haven't completely given up on my dream of creating a unified
database, but I recognize this is going to be a lifelong struggle.

Mini-Reviews of Last Week's Books

Setting Free the Kites by Alex George
(Putnam; 9780399162107): I used to say that books don't make me cry,
but that was before I started reading Alex George. His characters are so
real to me, I'm completely and utterly emotionally attached to them.
This strong, authentic story of loss and growth, of being boys, of
finding hope and embracing life against all odds simmers slowly in my
heart, and Liam, Robert, and Nathan (and even Hollis) will remain with
me as I continue to strive to set my own kites free. One of the best
books I'll read all year from one of my favorite authors. Buy this book,
read this book (and keep those tissues handy).

Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin (Katherine Tegen Books; 9780062458544): I had mixed success with this novel in verse, which is a Romeo and Juliet
retelling set in contemporary times in the Mideast (Israel and
Palestine). Laskin did a good job emphasizing the similarities between
the lives of the Jewish girl and Muslim boy (such as sitting down for
family dinners) and highlighting the idea that each generation is a little more tolerant than the one before it.
In addition, I enjoyed finding the places where the novel subtly echoed
the original play ("I hate the parting / the sorrow of it / the fear /
tomorrow will never come"). On the other hand, there was so much teen
angst I found my attention wandering, and I'm not sure I bought the
ending. Read this with reduced expectations.

Fish Girl by David Wiesner and Donna Jo Napoli (Clarion
Books; 9780547483931): This beautifully illustrated middle grade
graphic novel is the story of a mermaid who discovers there is more to
life and the world than the aquarium, in which she lives. It's a
coming-of-age story, with a strong theme of friendship, that will
capture young readers' imaginations. The plot advances mostly through
the drawings, which are rich in ocean colors and convincingly convey
emotion and movement. The story line of the mermaid's keeper could have
been a little better developed, but I'm still recommending the book.

What I'm Listening to Now / Reading Plans

The Rise of Empire by Michael J. Sullivan
(Recorded Books), read by Tim Gerard Reynolds: My current listen is
making it very difficult for me to work. I am so invested in this
fantasy world and the characters, I just have to know what happens next.
This is not magic wand fantasy but a medieval-like world with elves,
dwarfs, and wizards; kings, a clergy, and commoners; politics, war, and
love. If you like epic fantasy, you'll like Sullivan, and narrator Reynolds has nailed the characters' personalities and the pace of the story.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina A. Henriquez
(Knopf; 9780385350846): This novel about a Mexican family looking for
hope and miracles in America is next up in my print reading. Although
published in 2014, this story of immigration promises to be especially
relevant in the context of today's political atmosphere.

All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt;
9780544824249): Next up on my eReader is this contemporary story about
family, adulthood, and discovering what's really important. I gave high
marks to a couple of Attenberg's earlier novels (for example, The Middlesteins) and am expecting a sharp, smart, and sometimes humorous look at modern-day life.

What's Up This Week

I
have a review and giveaway of a fun middle grade book tomorrow, a photo
on Wednesday, and a themed reading list later in the week. Saturday, of
course, will be something foodie.

I'm in the middle of Setting Free the Kites, and yes I love it so very much. I'm already worried about it ending. I don't receive as many books as you, but yes I do try to put them in a spread sheet as soon as possible. It's the only chance I've got!!

I've battled with book organizing too and haven't done particularly well. I've finally just had to keep it simple and make a couple of lists of books that I want to read or need to read and not worry too much about anything else. There's just so many books and so many formats that I've given up. Plus reading is just way more fun!

Fish Girl looks like a really cute middle grade book about mermaids. And Rise of Empire- hmm I'm not familiar with Sullivan although I THINK I've seen his books, just haven't explored them further. I'll have to take a look at his stuff.

I took the opportunity and catalogued all my books the last time I moved house and have been diligent about adding any new volume to my database ever since. I would love to get them all organised through an app that just reads off the isbn, but I currently have around 2000 books and, like you, I feel I have better things to do than cataloguing books in my free time, so I guess the old Excel file will just have to do. Rise of Empires sounds like a great read/listen. Happy reading!

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About Me

I'm a freelance book editor, reviewer, and journalist blogging as Beth Fish. On these pages, you'll find book reviews, book features, and other bookish content. I like to spotlight my favorite imprints and I'm a long-time audiobook lover. (I was the Audio Publishers Association's 2016 Audiobook Blogger of the Year!) Each Saturday I host my popular Weekend Cooking feature. Don't forget to look for my weekly photograph. You can find me on social media as @BethFishReads. Publicists, publishers, authors: please see my review policy. NB: I did not work on any book mentioned on this site.

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